Methods and apparatus for aerating turf

ABSTRACT

A turf aerator is configured with components that allow a user to set a desired turf aeration depth and then automatically adjust hydraulic pressure to produce a proper level of downward pressure into the ground in order to maintain consistent depth penetration with the tines. The turf aerator implements a depth control lever that is operatively connected to a switch that increases or decreases tine depth up or down. Since the desired tine depth is set and the hydraulic pressure is capable of puncturing the ground accordingly, portions of the ground that are relatively harder or softer are still properly penetrated due to the set level of depth. The turf aerator is also configured with a tine housing which shields drive chains from dirt and debris from the aerating, thereby increasing the life of the drive chains.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present non-provisional application claims benefit to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/410,007 filed Oct. 19, 2016, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Methods and apparatus for aerating turf are shown and described. Theconception of a pair of tine shafts driven through a differential shaftin a turf aerator as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,773, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference, represented a major innovation in theturf field. In particular, the ability to operatively connect and clutchone or the other or both of the tine shafts, whether done mechanically,hydrostatically, or in other manners or combinations, allow the operatorto make turns while the tines are still in contact with the turf.However, once turning was a possibility, operators desired furtherability in directing the turf aerator during operation.

As an example, in an alternate approach by others to this innovation,outer tine assemblies were rotatably mounted at the two end portions ofa single driven shaft including inner tine assemblies secured to thesingle driven shaft intermediate the outer tine assemblies. Althoughincreasing turning ability relative to conventional turf aeratorsexisting prior to U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,773, this alternate approach didnot have the turning ability achieved by the turf aerator of U.S. Pat.No. 6,708,773. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/282,095 (U.S. Pat.No. 9,474,196), reflects another major innovation in the turf field,with U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/282,095 also being incorporatedherein by reference.

Rolling tine aerators aerate to a given depth based on the down pressureplaced on the tines. Current riding aerating machines control depth bysetting a fixed hydraulic pressure to produce a given down pressure.Thus, as soil conditions change on the lawn, the depth of tines willchange. The user is constantly having to adjust hydraulic pressure tocompensate for those changes in conditions on a lawn to get the properdown pressure and corresponding depth desired. Consistent depth isdesired, so if the down pressure is too light on harder soil conditions,the tines will not penetrate to the desired depth, and if the downpressure is too heavy on softer soil conditions, the tines willpenetrate past the desired depth, possibly hitting things such as treeroots, irrigation systems, etc. that are buried.

Current riding aerator machines raise and lower the tine shaft, whilethe housing that shields the tines remains fixed to the frame of themachine. Due to width constraints, this requires the drive chains forthe tines to be inside the housing in between sets of tines, where dirtand debris from aerating can get into the chains and cause them tostretch and prematurely wear out.

Thus, a need for improvement in methods and apparatus for aeratingexists in the field of turf management.

SUMMARY

This need and other problems in the field of turf management are solvedby providing an apparatus for aerating turf.

A turf aerator is configured with components that provide a user withthe ability to control and accordingly set a desired level of depth fortine penetration into the ground, which thereby automatically adjuststhe necessary hydraulic pressure to reach the set level of depth. Theuser can use a depth control lever on the turf aerator in order to setthe desired level of depth. The depth control lever may be operativelyconnected to an adjustable switch for which the user can adjust thepositioning. A fixed switch may be positioned above the adjustableswitch when the turf aerator is upright. The fixed switch can define theraised position of the hydraulic cylinder and the adjustable switch cancontrol the lowered position of the hydraulic cylinder.

After the user sets the switch using the depth control lever to adesired level of depth, the retraction and elongation of the hydrauliccylinder is determined by the bounds between the adjusted switch and thefixed switch. For example, a trip may be positioned between the fixedswitch and the adjustable switch, and the trip's position corresponds tothe retraction and elongation of the hydraulic cylinder. Accordingly,during operation, the fixed switch defines the maximum retraction of thehydraulic cylinder and the adjustable switch defines the maximumelongation of the hydraulic cylinder. Advantageously, when the ground isrespectively harder or softer during operation of the turf aerator, thetines may still penetrate to the set depth without the user having tospecifically adjust hydraulic pressure. This way, consistent depth isreached regardless of the turf's density.

The turf aerator further employs drive chains that are utilized forgearing the tine assemblies and wheels for movement, in which the drivechains are positioned on an exterior of a tine housing in order toprotect the drive chains from dirt and debris during the turf aeration.Positioning the drive chains such that they are protected from the turfaeration allows for an increased life of the drive chains, which therebyreduces cost for repairs and saves time for users.

Illustrative embodiments will become clearer in light of the followingdetailed description in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to theaccompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, rear perspective view of an illustrativeembodiment of an apparatus for aerating turf.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of some of the components of theaerating apparatus of FIG. 1, with portions broken away to show internaldetails.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of various components of theaerating apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of other components of the aeratingapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the aerating apparatus of FIG. 1including an attachment driven with the tine assembly and drive wheel.

All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachingsonly; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position,relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the illustrativeembodiments will be explained or will be within one skilled in the artafter the following description has been read and understood. Further,the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specificforce, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise bewithin one skilled in the art after the following description has beenread and understood.

Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numeralsdesignate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top”,“bottom”, “first”, “second”, “forward”, “rearward”, “reverse”, “front”,“back”, “height”, “width”, “length”, “end”, “side”, “horizontal”,“vertical”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understoodthat these terms have reference only to the structure shown in thedrawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and areutilized only to facilitate describing the illustrative embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments of an apparatus for aerating turf are shown inthe drawings and generally designated 10. Generally, turf aerator 10includes a chassis 12 including first and second side plates 14, frontand back plates 24 and 26, respectively, extending between side plates14, and a top plate 28 extending between side plates 14 and from frontplate 24 towards, but spaced from, back plate 26. In the form shown, topplate 28 is generally an isosceles trapezoid. Chassis 12 is moveablysupported on turf adjacent to front plate 24 by caster wheels 30, withcaster wheels 30 located outwardly of side plates 14. Caster wheels 30may protrude from each side which thereby provides additional stabilityto turf aerator 10.

A motor 38 is mounted to top plate 28 adjacent to front plate 24. Motor38 is in driving connection to hydraulic pumps.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a pair of tine assemblies 100is driven at their outer ends by a sprocket 18 in gearing relation to adrive chain 20. Further, in the embodiments shown, tine assemblies 100are each of the type shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/282,095 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,474,196), which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference. All bearings on the tine shafts, wheels, casters,and jackshafts are sealed bearings and may not need to be greased by theuser at given intervals. This saves the user time in maintenance, andalso reduces the possibility that maintenance is forgotten which therebyleads to bearing failures and costly repairs for the user.

In the embodiments shown, chassis 12 of turf aerator 10 includes arectangular opening 40 in top plate 28 between side plates 14 and spacedfrom front plate 24 and generally located over tine assemblies 100. Atine housing 50 is pivotably secured to chassis 12 and extends withinopening 40 in chassis 12. Tine housing 50 includes first and second sidesheets 52 located inwardly of side plates 14 of chassis 12. Further,front and back sheets 56 and 58 of tine housing 50 extend between sidesheets 52 intermediate the front and back ends and at the back endsthereof respectively. Tine housing 50 further includes a top sheet 60extending between front and back sheets 56 and 58 and extending betweenside sheets 52. Top sheet 60 and front and back sheets 56 and 58 extendgenerally perpendicular to side sheets 52. Tine assemblies 100 arerotatably mounted to tine housing 50 between side sheets 52 and frontand back sheets 56 and 58 and under top sheet 60, with the outer endsand sprockets 18 of tine assemblies 100 located outside of side sheets52. Although the word sheets are used to describe various componentssuch as the top sheet 60 and side sheets 52, it should be understoodthat these components can likewise be considered support members ingeneral or frames that form the overall shape of the components, and maynot necessarily be manufactured as sheets of material.

The chassis 12 can also include a front attachment receiver 27 which canbe used to secure the attachment 110 thereto. In this example, the frontattachment receiver 27 forms a U-shaped channel which is or can besquare or rectangle. Chassis 12 also includes holes 29, in this exampleshaped as a tear-drop for improved ease of use and functionality, whichcan be used for one or both purposes of securing the aerator turfmachine for transport or for securing the attachment 110 thereto. Inaddition, the holes 33 on side fenders 31 can be used to better securethe turf aerator during transport. In this regard, the holes 33 can bereferred to as tie-down holes in which a user can use to better securethe turf aerator during transportation. In the example depicted in FIG.3, the front attachment receiver 27 is shown at least partially on frontplate 24 and top plate 28, however, the attachment receiver canadditionally or alternatively be positioned on one or the other as well.Additional U-shaped channels can also be used for additional support.Furthermore, although FIG. 3 depicts the holes 29 positioned on frontplate 24, alternatively or additional holes can be positioned on topplate 28.

Turf aerator 10 further includes a pair of hydraulic motors 34 mountedto chassis 12 between opening 40 and front plate 24 and having outputshafts 32 aligned with each other and extending generally perpendicularto side plates 14. Tine housing 50 is pivotably connected to chassis 12by having the front ends of side sheets 52 rotatably coupled to outputshafts 32 which are parallel to, but spaced from, the rotation axis oftine assemblies 100. Each output shaft 32 includes a sprocket 36 a ingearing relation to drive chain 20 for driving the corresponding tineassembly 100. Each output shaft 32 further includes a sprocket 36 b ingearing relation to drive chain 42. Drive chain 42 is in gearingrelation to a sprocket 44 on a stub axle 46 of drive wheel 48, with stubaxle 46 rotatably mounted to the corresponding side plate 14 of chassis12 adjacent to back plate 26. It should then be appreciated that drivechains 20 and 42 are located intermediate side sheets 52 and side plates14, and particularly are located exteriorly of tine housing 50.

Other means for operating the tine assembly in addition to or as analternative to the drive chains can include a hydraulic motor that iscoupled directly or indirectly to the tine assembly, such that thehydraulic motor itself powers the tine assembly. As another means foroperating the tine assembly can include a belt, such as a v-belt, inplace of the drive chains, in which case pulleys can be used in place ofthe sprockets. In each of these additional or alternative examples, thecomponents may likewise be positioned where the drive chains arelocated, that is, exterior to the tine housing 50, so that each of thecomponents can likewise be protected from the tine assemblies inoperation. These alternative operational methods in which can operatethe tine assemblies can also be utilized for the wheels as well, suchthat means for operating the wheels can likewise utilize a hydraulicmotor or a v-belt with a pulley system. In this regard, the first andsecond driving means can be in fixed timing with each other such thatthe wheels and tine assemblies operate in tandem. The second drive canbe positioned such that the second side support member is at leastpartially positioned between the tine assembly and the second drive.

Although the figures depict the tine assemblies 100 being mounted to thetine housing 50, which is distinct from the chassis 12, the tine housing50 may alternatively be a single component with the chassis 12. Forexample, the tine assemblies 100 may be rotatably mounted to the chassis12 itself. Furthermore, since the tine housing 50 can be formed as partof the chassis 12, any discussion of components with respect to the tinehousing can be formed as the chassis as well, including the front andback sheets 56 and 58 and the side sheets 52. In this regard, thechassis can be formed of a pivoting portion of which is mounted to thetine assemblies and a fixed portion. Thus, the chassis itself mayinclude the pivot in which case the tine assemblies and the pivotingportion of the chassis connected to the tine assemblies can pivotrelative to the remainder of the chassis (e.g., the fixed portion) inaccordance with the elongation and retraction of the hydraulic cylinder.Any discussion of tine housing 50 can alternatively be considered asbeing a discussion with respect to the chassis 12 itself, such as thepivoting portion of the chassis.

Chassis 12 further includes a console 16 shown as including a pair ofside portions 62 secured to side plates 14 and upstanding therefrom. Atop portion 64 extends between and is secured to the upper ends of sideportions 62. A support shaft 66 extends between side portions 62parallel to and spaced from top plate 28 and intermediate top portion 64and tine housing 50.

Referring to FIG. 4, the upper end of a hydraulic cylinder 68 ispivotably connected to support shaft 66. The lower end of the hydrauliccylinder 68 is pivotably connected to a U-shaped bracket 70 secured totop sheet 60 of tine housing 50. Thus, by extending and retractinghydraulic cylinder 68, tine housing 50 and tine assemblies 100 thereinare pivoted relative to chassis 12. As discussed above and in anotherexample, if the chassis forms the components of the tine housing suchthat it is all a fluid piece or connection, then that portion of thechassis can move, or pivot, relative to the remainder of the fixedportion of the chassis based on the elongation and retraction of thehydraulic cylinder.

A bracket 72 is pivotably secured to support shaft 66 such as byextending support shaft 66 through a pair of ears 74 extending generallyperpendicular to bracket 72 and located on opposite sides of the upperend of hydraulic cylinder 68. A trip 76 is movably mounted relative to abracket 72 in a direction perpendicular to support shaft 66 and parallelto hydraulic cylinder 68, such as by having fasteners of trip 76 extendthrough an elongated slot 72 a. The positions of trip 76 relative tobracket 72 correspond to the elongation or retraction of hydrauliccylinder 68, such as by a rod 78 having its upper end pivotablyconnected to trip 76 and its lower end pivotably connected to U-shapedbracket 70 and extending generally parallel to hydraulic cylinder 68.

For controlling the amount of retraction and elongation of hydrauliccylinder 68, a first switch 80 is suitably secured to an upper end ofbracket 72, which is engageable by trip 76 to define the maximumretraction of hydraulic cylinder 68. A second switch 82 is mounted tobracket 72 for movement parallel to the movement of trip 76 relative tobracket 72, which is engageable by trip 76 to define the maximumelongation of hydraulic cylinder 68. In the form shown in FIG. 4, switch82 is mounted to a bracket 84 having fasteners extending through anelongated slot 72 b which is parallel to and spaced from slot 72 a. Formoving switch 82 relative to switch 80, a J-shaped crank arm 86 ispivotably mounted to one ear 74 at its first end. A slide rod 88 has itsfirst end pivotably connected to a first end of crank arm 86intermediate its ends and a second end pivotably connected to bracket84. A handle rod 90 has a first end pivotably connected to a second endof crank arm 86 and a second end pivotably connected to a depth controllever 92 pivotably mounted in console 16 and extending outwardly of topportion 64.

Referring to FIG. 1, a switch 94 controls the retraction and elongationof hydraulic cylinder 68 between the extents defined by switches 80 and82. In the form illustrated, switch 94 is located on an operatorplatform 96 mounted to chassis 12. In the form illustrated, operatorplatform 96 uses the rubber isolator mounting system disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 8,632,018, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.Also, operator platform 96 has a rubber mat 104 with holes in it to helpwith operator fatigue. Mat 104 can be flipped up for ease of cleaningdirt and debris that can accumulate while aerating. Operator platform 96also has a lock 102 to keep it from accidentally flipping up with theuser still on operator platform 96. The lock 102 can engage with acorresponding bore in the operator platform 96 which thereby prohibitsthe operator platform from moving. For example, when the operatorplatform is in use, that is, it extends parallel to the ground, the lockprohibits the operator platform from moving upwards in a closedposition. Likewise, when the operator platform is positioned upward, orperpendicular to the ground, the lock can prohibit the operator platformfrom falling downward. Thus, the lock 102 can be disengaged to rotateoperator platform 96 up and then, once the operator platform is in theup position, re-locked to hold it up. This aids in providing access tothe user to the tine assemblies 100 in order to clean them.

Although switches and trips are shown in the figures and described,other electronic or mechanical mechanisms can also be implemented toserve a similar such purpose. Thus, the switch may be considered avariable position mechanism or device and the trip may be considered atriggering mechanism. For example, a magnetic pick-up sensor can be usedto identify the presence of a magnet which may replace the trip. Othersensory devices can also be utilized such as a proximity sensory, andthe like which can detect the approach of an object such as the trip.Furthermore, if sensors are utilized in which signals, such as digitalsignals, are ultimately transmitted to one or more processors (e.g.,CPU), or otherwise a controller, micro-controller, etc., which canthereby control the operation of the hydraulic cylinder. In this regard,the turf aerator can include other components typically associated withcomputing devices in addition to the sensors and processors mentioned,such as memory configured to install data and instructions executable bythe one or more processors, a display screen as an output mechanism, andan input mechanism for the user to control the turf aerator.

Attachments such as drop seeder, drop spreader, or broadcast spreadercan be installed on the front of the machine. In the illustrated form,an attachment 110 is suitably secured to front plate 24 and is poweredby at least one hydraulic motor 34 with its corresponding tine assembly100 and drive wheel 48. Attachment 110 is shown as being a drop seeder,but attachment 110 could be of other forms and types useful in turfmanagement and, especially, in cooperation with aeration, including, butnot limited to, a broadcast spreader, a drop spreader, or the like. FIG.5 shows a drop seeder 112 that is powered by a v-belt 120 that isconnected to hydraulic motor 34 by pulley 112. The agitator 116 in theseeder 112 runs proportionate to ground speed as the hydraulic motoralso runs the wheels of the turf aerator.

In the form shown, attachment 110 includes a seeder 112 for holdingseeds for dispensing out of an adjustable lower opening 114. In thisregard, controls for adjusting lower opening 114 could be routed up toconsole 16 which the operator could easily reach during operation. Theagitator 116 is provided inside of seeder 112 having a pulley 118exterior of seeder 112. Pulley 118 and agitator 116 are shown as beingpowered by the belt 120, which in this example is a v-belt, extendingbetween pulley 118 and a pulley 122 provided on output shaft 32outwardly of side plate 14. Although only shown as being driven by onehydraulic motor 34 with one drive wheel 48 and one tine assembly 100,attachment 110 could also been powered by the other hydraulic motor 34with the other drive wheel 48 and the other tine assembly 100.

Turf aerator 10 eliminates the need for the user to have to adjusthydraulic pressure, by instead having the user set a desired depth andautomatically adjusting hydraulic pressure to produce the correct downpressure. The depth will stay consistent and does not require constantadjustment by the user. The only condition where the depth will be lessthan set is when the soil is too hard and the down pressure required forthat depth is more than the maximum created by the weight of turfaerator 10. In this case, tine assemblies 100 will not penetrate to thedepth selected. This is the same as conventional machines when they areat their maximum hydraulic pressure. To engage tine assemblies 100 inthe ground, the user steps on switch 94 on operator platform 96 andkeeps switch 94 down. To disengage tine assemblies 100, the user stepsoff switch 94.

Turf aerator 10 allows the user to set a fixed depth by having depthcontrol lever 92 that is infinitely variable to set depth. That is,infinitely variable may be defined between the two points in which thedepth control lever can extend. Thus, the user can adjust the depthcontrol lever at any location between which the lever operates, such asmay be defined by the top portion 64. There are two switches 80 and 82,one for the raised position (remains fixed) and one for the loweredposition (variable and is attached by linkage to depth control lever92). As depth control lever 92 is moved forward or backward, itincreases or decreases the tine depth by moving switch 82 down or up.Trip 76 is moveably attached to tine housing 50, which trips eitherraised position switch 80 or lowered position switch 82. When the useris not standing on foot switch 94, the manifold allows hydrauliccylinder 68 to retract, lifting tine assemblies 100 out of the ground.Hydraulic cylinder 68 retracts until trip 76 trips raised positionswitch 80. When the user stands on foot switch 94, the manifold forceshydraulic cylinder 68 to extend until trip 76 trips lowered positionswitch 82. Turf aerator 10 also allows the user to easily set differentdepths for different lawns based on customer preference, without havingto make a few passes to gauge soil conditions. As an alternativeembodiment, both the first and second switches can be variable, that is,adjustable by the user using depth control levers or other adjustablemechanisms.

Additionally, turf aerator 10 has tine housing 50 shielding tineassemblies 100 attached to the tine shaft, so the whole assembly raisesand lowers. Since it is all independent of chassis 12, turf aerator 10allows drive chains 20 and 42 to be on the outside of tine housing 50,which shields drive chains 20 and 42 from the dirt and debris ofaerating. This improves chain life and creates less down time for theuser. Turf aerator 10 also minimizes the number of chains and belts,with only one belt to run the hydraulic pumps and four drive chains 20and 42 running off hydraulic motors 34 to run each wheel 48 and eachtine assembly 100. Also, the belt has a spring tensioner to help take upslack in the belt as it stretches with wear.

To operate turf aerator 10, the user presses forward on handles 98,which operates hydraulic motors 34, to go forward; pulls back on handles98, which operates hydraulic motors 34, to go in reverse; pressesforward on left handle 98 farther than the right handle 98, whichoperates hydraulic motors 34, to turn right; and presses forward on theright handle 98 farther than the left handle 98, which operateshydraulic motors 34, to turn left. This is similar to zero turn radiusmachines.

Thus, since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or generalcharacteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, theembodiments described herein are to be considered in all respectsillustrative and not restrictive.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A turf aerator comprising: a chassis havingtwo side plates, front and back plates integrally extending between thetwo side plates and an opening, with the opening being at leastpartially between the two side plates and between the front and backplates of the chassis; drive wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis andlocated adjacent to the back plate on opposite sides of the two sideplates; a support wheel secured to the chassis adjacent to the frontplate and spaced in a direction parallel to each of the two side platesfrom the drive wheels, with the drive wheels and the support wheelmovably supporting the chassis; a tine assembly support structureindependently movably secured to the chassis and extending at leastpartially within the opening of the chassis, with the tine assemblysupport structure comprising: a top support member; a first side supportmember positioned at a first end of the top support member; and a secondside support member positioned at a second end opposite the first end ofthe top support member; and a tine assembly rotatably mounted to thetine assembly support structure and positioned between the first andsecond side support members, with the tine assembly support structureand the tine assembly independently moving relative to the chassis. 2.The turf aerator of claim 1, further comprising a first drive whichdrives the tine assembly, wherein the first drive is positionedintermediate one of the two side plates and the second side supportmember, thereby blocking debris picked up by the tine assembly duringoperation.
 3. The turf aerator of claim 1, further consisting of asingle belt utilized to operate with an engine and hydraulic pumps inoperating the turf aerator.
 4. The turf aerator of claim 1, furthercomprising: at least one hydraulic motor mounted to the chassis; anattachment including any one or more of a drop seeder, a broadcastspreader, or a drop spreader; and means for removably securing theattachment to a portion of the chassis, wherein the attachment ispowered by the at least one hydraulic motor which makes the attachmentrun at a speed that is dependent on and corresponds with ground speedmovement of the turf aerator, and wherein the tine assembly supportstructure is independently movable relative to the attachment secured tothe chassis.
 5. The turf aerator of claim 1, wherein the tine assemblysupport structure is pivotally secured to the chassis intermediate andspaced from the drive wheels and the support wheel in the directionparallel to each of the two side plates.
 6. The turf aerator of claim 5,further comprising a hydraulic cylinder extending between the chassisand the tine assembly support structure and with elongation andretraction of the hydraulic cylinder causing the independently movingtine assembly support structure to pivot at the chassis according to theelongation and the retraction of the hydraulic cylinder.
 7. A turfaerator comprising: a chassis having two side plates and an opening,with the opening being at least partially between the two side plates ofthe chassis; drive wheels located on opposite sides of the two sideplates; a support wheel secured to the chassis adjacent to the frontplate and spaced in a direction parallel to each of the two side platesfrom the drive wheels, with the drive wheels and the support wheelmovably supporting the chassis; a tine assembly support structureindependently movably secured to the chassis and extending at leastpartially within the opening of the chassis, with the tine assemblysupport structure comprising: a top support member; a first side supportmember positioned at a first end of the top support member; and a secondside support member positioned at a second end opposite the first end ofthe top support member; a tine assembly rotatably mounted to the tineassembly support structure and positioned between the first and secondside support members, with the tine assembly support structure and thetine assembly independently moving relative to the chassis; and a seconddrive which drives the drive wheels for the chassis of the turf aerator,wherein the second drive is positioned such that the second side supportmember is at least partially positioned between the tine assembly andthe second drive, and wherein the first and second drives are of fixedtiming with one another.
 8. A turf aerator comprising: a chassis havingtwo side plates and an opening, with the opening being at leastpartially between the two side plates of the chassis; drive wheelslocated on opposite sides of the two side plates; a support wheelsecured to the chassis adjacent to the front plate and spaced in adirection parallel to each of the two side plates from the drive wheels,with the drive wheels and the support wheel movably supporting thechassis; a tine assembly support structure independently movably securedto the chassis and extending at least partially within the opening ofthe chassis, with the tine assembly support structure comprising: a topsupport member; a first side support member positioned at a first end ofthe top support member; and a second side support member positioned at asecond end opposite the first end of the top support member; a consolethat includes various controls to operate the turf aerator, wherein theconsole further includes a depth control lever pivotally mounted in theconsole and configured to be infinitely variable in setting a desiredturf penetration depth for the tine assembly; a variable positionmechanism connected to and movable with one of the depth control leverand the tine assembly support structure; and a triggering mechanismconnected to and movable with another of the depth control lever and thetine assembly support structure, with the triggering mechanismengageable with the variable position mechanism to define the desiredturf penetration depth for the tine assembly.
 9. The turf aerator ofclaim 8, further comprising: a crank arm connected to the depth controllever; and a slide rod that at one end is pivotally connected to thecrank arm and at a second end is connected to the variable positioningmechanism, with the triggering mechanism fastened to the tine assemblysupport structure defining the desired turf penetration depth for thetine assembly, wherein movement of the depth control lever translates tomovement of the variable positioning mechanism.
 10. The turf aerator ofclaim 9, further comprising: a first bracket pivotably secured to thechassis; and a second bracket slideably mounted to the first bracket,with the variable position mechanism secured to and movable with thesecond bracket, with the trigger mechanism slideably mounted to thefirst bracket.
 11. The turf aerator of claim 10, further comprising: afixed position switch secured to and movable with the first bracket,with the triggering mechanism engageable with the fixed position switchand defining an extent of movement of the tine assembly supportstructure relative to the chassis.
 12. A turf aerator comprising: achassis having two side plates and an opening, with the opening being atleast partially between the two side plates of the chassis; drive wheelslocated on opposite sides of the two side plates; a support wheelsecured to the chassis adjacent to the front plate and spaced in adirection parallel to each of the two side plates from the drive wheels,with the drive wheels and the support wheel movably supporting thechassis; a tine assembly support structure independently movably securedto the chassis and extending at least partially within the opening ofthe chassis, with the tine assembly support structure comprising: a topsupport member; a first side support member positioned at a first end ofthe top support member; and a second side support member positioned at asecond end opposite the first end of the top support member; at leastone hydraulic motor mounted to the chassis; an attachment including anyone or more of a drop seeder, a broadcast spreader, or a drop spreader;and means for removably securing the attachment to a portion of thechassis, wherein the attachment is powered by the at least one hydraulicmotor which makes the attachment run at a speed that is dependent on andcorresponds with ground speed movement of the turf aerator, and whereinthe tine assembly support structure is independently movable relative tothe attachment secured to the chassis, and wherein the removablysecuring means comprises, in combination: a front attachment receiverextending through the front plate and extending parallel to andintermediate the two side plates; and attachment holes located in thefront plate on opposite sides of the front attachment receiver andconfigured to receive a portion of the attachment.
 13. The turf aeratorof claim 12, further comprising side fenders fixed to the two sideplates and extending over the drive wheels, with the side fendersincluding incorporated tie down holes configured for securing the turfaerator during transport and with the attachment holes configured forsecuring the turf aerator.